warpedskydiver 0 #1 March 9, 2007 Justice Dept.: FBI Misused Patriot Act Friday, March 9, 2007 11:00 AM EST The Associated Press By LARA JAKES JORDAN WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI improperly and, in some cases, illegally used the USA Patriot Act to secretly obtain personal information about people in the United States, underreporting for three years how often it forced businesses to turn over customer data, a Justice Department audit concluded Friday. FBI agents sometimes demanded the data without proper authorization, according to a 126-page audit by Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine. At other times, the audit found, the FBI improperly obtained telephone records in non-emergency circumstances. The audit blames agent error and shoddy record-keeping for the bulk of the problems and did not find any indication of criminal misconduct. Still, "we believe the improper or illegal uses we found involve serious misuses of national security letter authorities," the audit concludes. At issue are the security letters, a power outlined in the Patriot Act that the Bush administration pushed through Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The letters, or administrative subpoenas, are used in suspected terrorism and espionage cases. They allow the FBI to require telephone companies, Internet service providers, banks, credit bureaus and other businesses to produce highly personal records about their customers or subscribers — without a judge's approval. FBI Director Robert S. Mueller called Fine's audit "a fair and objective review of the FBI's use of a proven and useful investigative tool." The finding "of deficiencies in our processes is unacceptable," Mueller said in a statement. "We strive to exercise our authorities consistent with the privacy protections and civil liberties that we are sworn to uphold," Mueller said. "Anything less will not be tolerated. While we've already taken some steps to address these shortcomings, I am ordering additional corrective measures to be taken immediately." Fine's annual review is required by Congress, over the objections of the Bush administration. The audit released Friday found that the number of national security letters issued by the FBI skyrocketed in the years after the Patriot Act became law. In 2000, for example, the FBI issued an estimated 8,500 letters. By 2003, however, that number jumped to 39,000. It rose again the next year, to about 56,000 letters in 2004, and dropped to approximately 47,000 in 2005. Over the entire three-year period, the audit found the FBI issued 143,074 national security letters requesting customer data from businesses. The FBI vastly underreported the numbers. In 2005, the FBI told Congress that its agents in 2003 and 2004 had delivered only 9,254 national security letters seeking e-mail, telephone or financial information on 3,501 U.S. citizens and legal residents over the previous two years. Additionally, the audit found, the FBI identified 26 possible violations in its use of the national security letters, including failing to get proper authorization, making improper requests under the law and unauthorized collection of telephone or Internet e-mail records. Of the violations, 22 were caused by FBI errors, while the other four were the result of mistakes made by the firms that received the letters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #2 March 9, 2007 Imagine that! The Patriot Act being used to violate the rights of US citizens! No one could have seen that coming. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfc 1 #3 March 9, 2007 Well this demonstrates how removing judicial over site from the executive is a really bad idea. We are well on the way to having our own secret police answering to no-one just like the Russians have the KGB. Anyone know what remains before the USA goes from being a republic to a dictatorship or maybe we are already there? We'll have to have our own perestroika. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmanpilot 0 #4 March 9, 2007 QuoteFine's annual review is required by Congress, over the objections of the Bush administration. That pretty much says it all. Who in their right mind would not want to make absolutely certain that such far reaching authorities were not being abused, for whatever reason._________________________________________ -There's always free cheese in a mouse trap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #5 March 9, 2007 Quote Who in their right mind would not want to make absolutely certain that such far reaching authorities were not being abused Our Nazi Overlords. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #6 March 9, 2007 QuoteQuote Who in their right mind would not want to make absolutely certain that such far reaching authorities were not being abused Our Nazi Overlords. Is that statement derived from their actions or their political afilliation? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #7 March 9, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuote Who in their right mind would not want to make absolutely certain that such far reaching authorities were not being abused Our Nazi Overlords. Is that statement derived from their actions or their political afilliation? Actions. -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #8 March 10, 2007 QuoteImagine that! The Patriot Act being used to violate the rights of US citizens! No one could have seen that coming. I am shocked. Shocked and dismayed. Dismayed and shocked. And dismayed. Did I mention I am shocked ? Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unformed 0 #9 March 10, 2007 Shocked and awed, maybe? Maybe? da-da-da-da.This ad space for sale. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penniless 0 #10 March 10, 2007 It's OK, President Bush has promised to investigate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tbrown 26 #11 March 12, 2007 Quote It's OK, President Bush has promised to investigate. "Okay, any you fellas been a-misusin' The Patriot Act ? Nope, I didn't think so.... well, that Nancy Pelosi made me ask because some terrorists have been complainin'..." Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #12 March 12, 2007 QuoteJustice Dept.: FBI Misused Patriot Act Ya think?? Next headline: Justice Dept.: Bear shits in woods. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
